Make Yourself Aware of Your Intentions
A technique to increase self-awareness by setting daily reminders to consciously revisit your intentions, which helps rewire brain pathways for better alignment with goals.
THE IDEA
Step 3: Make Yourself Aware of Your Intentions
Set a few reminders on your phone each day to pause and revisit your intentions as you go about your activities. Frequent reminders can help shift the pathways of your brain.
When to use it
Improving focus during work by periodically checking if actions align with intended goals.
Reinforcing positive habits like exercise or meditation by reminding yourself of the intention behind each session.
Reducing impulsive decisions by pausing to reflect on your intentions before acting.
Enhancing learning by setting intentions before studying (e.g., 'I intend to understand the core concepts') and reviewing them during breaks.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Daily Intention Check
Set three phone alarms at 9 AM, 1 PM, and 6 PM. When each alarm rings, pause for 30 seconds to ask yourself: 'What is my current intention?' This helps you stay mindful throughout the day.
Workplace Focus
Before starting a task, note your intention (e.g., 'I intend to complete this report without distractions'). Then set a reminder to revisit that intention after one hour to check if you are on track.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
What are your core intentions for today? How often do you lose sight of them?
How could frequent reminders change your behavior or decision-making?
In what areas of your life (work, relationships, health) would increased intention awareness be most beneficial?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Thinking in Systems and Mental Models Think Like a Super Thinker (Dawson, Marcus P)